The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-15
JACOB SHARP'SPUNISHMENI
The Big Bribe-Giver Sentenced to Serve
Four Years in the State Prison,
And Ordered to Pay Fine Of $5,000-Hit
Counsel Apply for Stay Of Proceedings,
Which Judge Potter Finally Grants.

seemed TO be the sleep of utter exhaustion and
he appeared to be but little refreshed by il
i When ho arose this morning at 8 o'clock His
wife sat by his bedside through the night,
| tanning him while he was asleep and giving
| him cooling drinks when he woke at intervals
| After he arose from bed she assisted him ia
| dress for his second trip TO the Court Of Oyer
| and Termner to receive sentence. He bore the
same listless, Indifferent. almost dazed manner
noticeable in him since his conviction. He APP
| peared almost unconscious Of the attention his
| wife lavished on him, and scarcely exchanged
word with her. Sharp remained sitting in his
reclining chair. with his wife beside him tanning
him, until tho hour came at which he was to
start for the courthouse He had been able to
take but little nourishment. and was very
weak
It was l1:3o o'clock When the carriage drove
away from the Jail, and just twenty minutes
later it stopped before the county courthouse.
The party aliehted and passed through the lane
made for them by the police through the wait
in, wd of curious spectators to the sherffs
off u thence to the court-r room. Sharp was
SOW that in going to tho carriage from the
Jail and on leaving it on his way into the court
house. and up the stairs to the courtroom. 10
was necessary for the officers guarding him to
support his tottering form. Judge Barrett whose
illness yesterday compelled postponement Of
the sentence of the convicted man, had recovered
sufficiently TO-DAY to be present in court. He
arrived at the court house at almost the same
moment the prisoner. The clock was indi-
eating almost noon when Sharp was carried into
the courtroom. His suffering wife and
son-in-law were close behind him. and
deep lines of WEAKNESS and
spread their faces as they seated
themselves beside the convicted man and
famed his livid face without bringing anything
like semblance OF color back to it. His grand
son took the same seat he occupied during the
long trial, and lawyers Nelson, Stckney and
Parsons seated themselves on the right of their
client. opposite his Wits and relatives. Sharp
sat with clasped hands and bowed head at the
foot of the table facing the bench His face,
almost buried in his chest became flushed and
sickly looking, under the rveted gaze Of all
present, who were silently staring ct the con-
victed railroad king. Mrs. Sharp and the rest
of his family, like the prisoner himself. were
silent The excitement becoming quite
feverish when a sudden hush came the
room as three raps on the door announced the
entrance Of Judge Barrett After calling the
court to order Mr.. MARITIME got up and stated
that as he beard the defense had
marks to make. he wished to hear them.
Mr. Mitchell responded, aging that he had no
application to put in for delsy. but would move
for a new trial. and wished the stenographer to
make note or the fact
Judge Barrett said that if the documents con-
tanned nothing new he would deny the applica-
ton for a trial.
Mr. MITCHELL then read q paper stating that
the trial was unfair one in several ways; ths
jury was prejudiced against the client and ga,L
unfair verdict Moreover tho judges charge
was an unjust Several other points were
raised, but of the sterofyped variety
Judge Barrett stated that the motion would DO
denisd.
District Attorney MARITIME then stood up to
move the court to sentence the prisoner. He
stated he considered 1t his duty to ask the court
to appoint physicians to look into the pr soner's
condition of health, and read some certificates
from Doctors Allen, Hamilton, and Janeway to
the effect that the prisoners health was very
bad, and that he suffering from diabetes, in
fam maton of the kidneys, and organic disease
of the heart. which were of serious import to
man of seventy years. He then read Doctor
Hamilton's report on the condition of Sing Sing.
and the arrangements for the care of the sick.
which, he said, were Of most excellent charac-
ter all around, and the place was most healthay
situated. I'm view of these facts" concluded
Mr.. MARITIME, there is nothing left for me to do
but to move for the sentencing of the prisoner
Mr.. Mitchell then stood up to make q last ap-
peal for the defense. He said he did not wish
to delay tho court, but would ask the Judge tG
temper justice with mercy.
Judge Barrett then proceeded to deliver the
sentence. He said that he had never performed
so delicate q task in his whole professional ca
reer. He had received many letters from many
people pleading for mercy and otherwise. but a
court was not appointed to be ;nerciful any more
than WAS dictated by the laws of justice. A
judge is appointed to award penalty in accord
e onss A' connected a with the COM
duly Weighed and considered. The defendant
here is asking for mercy, but can give nothing
as plea for clemency but age and sickness. On
the merits of the case he certainly is entitled to
mono. 1t is absurd to state that he was not
guilty of giving the brides. ae no was unmstak-
ably the leader OF the whole affair. We have
not here as in the case of tho aldermen, any at
tempts to prove the defendants good character.
The crime itself enormous one-the rais-
ing Of half q million dollars to corrupt half
legislature.
Judge Barrett reviewed the corrupt action Of
the defendant in forming bogus company to
contract with the Seventh-avenue Railway, OF
which he was a director. and referred to the de-
PENDANTS securing million OF dollars OF proht
by sheer larceny, for which he conld have been
indicted just well for bribery. What is there
to excite pity or mercy except the age and ILL
health Of the prisoner and the mourning ac condi-
ton of his family2 With over 1000. 900 in his
pocket he clamors for mercy without Offering to
pay back a penny stolen. Should he die in
prison, his family has vast fortune to fall back
A. this Mrs Sharp buried her face in her hand
kerchief and wept silently, while the prisoner
himself did not lift his face from the table.
THE Legislature docs not allow US to go below
the minimum penalty in such n grave offense AZ
the present u.s." continued Judge Barrett; .all
cannot be satisfed-those who clamor for the
prisoners receiving the full penalty of the law
and those calling for q reprimAnd. All things
have been considered. and the Judgment Of this
court 10 that the prisoner be confined four years
ut hard labor, and that he pay fiuc of $1,000"
An attempt at applause was made in one
ner of the court as the sentence WAS pronounced.
but IL was quickly suppressed. As sono OF the
spectators moved out Of court Mr. Mitchell
stood up to ask for delay in the removal OF
Sharp to Sing Sing until he had settled some
affairs In the city. Judge Barrett denied the
motion, as there was no provision Of law for such
course OF action, and he did not think IL would
be deserved by the prisoner IL there waa
At that moment n cheer was heard outside ss
the sentence was announced by those who had
left the courtroom. The audience then began
to melt away quickly. The sentence had been
pronounced mt 1:04 o'clock. At lilo nearly all
the mere curiosity seekers had left the court
room. At Ii there WAS another excitement of